Free Health Information for Hispanic Seniors Offered by the National Institute on Aging

For Immediate Release:
January 2002

Contact:
Alvaro Puig
301-565-0770

Reliable information on diabetes, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, sleep problems, medicines, forgetfulness, weather-related health hazards, and foot care is now available in Spanish from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Eleven new Age Pages describe how to recognize and treat these conditions, which are common in older people, and provide up-to-date addresses and telephone numbers for further help.

The free, science-based leaflets are written for older people but also are useful to family members and health professionals who care for older adults. The award-winning Age Pages have been carefully adapted into Spanish and tested in community centers with older Hispanics.

The NIA has pledged to make health information available to minority elders a vital part of its 5-year strategic plan. In 2000, there were 1.9 million Hispanic adults age 65 and older in the U.S., a number that is expected to increase rapidly, according to the Census Bureau.

For single or bulk copies of these Age Pages , call the NIA Information Center weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. est. toll free at 1-800-222-2225 or TTY 1-800-222-4225. An information specialist is available to respond to inquiries in Spanish.

The NIA, part of the Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, is the lead Federal agency supporting and conducting biomedical, social, and behavioral research and training related to aging and the diseases and special needs of older people.

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